Paying for College First Year Abroad
Make College First Year Abroad Work for Your Budget
Start college differently with CIEE College First Year Abroad. Instead of heading straight to a U.S. campus, you’ll kick off your degree by living and learning in an incredible global destination. Earn 12-14 credits in one semester abroad or spend a full year exploring up to two exciting locations! Your campus will be the CIEE Global Quad – not a single physical space, but a network of CIEE centers and programs worldwide.
At CIEE, we are committed to breaking down barriers to international education. That's why we're proud to introduce scholarships that help make studying abroad possible for all students. You can now apply for merit-based awards of $500, as well as larger scholarships based on both merit and financial need, directly within your application. Need-based applications will require a short essay, academic transcript, and proof of household income (such as a 1040 tax form).
What’s Included in CIEE College First Year Abroad
College First Year Abroad program fees cover:
- Housing with a carefully screened host family or local residence hall
- Pre-departure assistance and online orientation (plus an in-person orientation on arrival)
- Support and supervision from experienced local staff
- CIEE-led excursions and cultural activities
- Tutoring and weekly participation in a College First Year Abroad workshop
- Academic transcript for completed in-person courses from CIEE’s School of Record, Tulane University, and Arizona State University for online coursework.
- International medical and travel insurance
- 24/7 support and counseling for students and parents from CIEE headquarters staff
- Access to CIEE’s global alumni network
Is College First Year Abroad more affordable than a semester of college in the U.S.?
Yes! Tuition, program, and enrollment fees for CIEE College First Year Abroad start at just $9,500 – less than the average cost of in-state college. That means you could kick off college in an exciting international location for less than staying in the U.S.
Average Public 4 year - In State
$12,460*
Average Public 4 year - Out-of-State
$22,045*
Average Private 4 Year
$29,300*
CIEE College First Year Abroad - Semester
$9,500-$17,500
*Based on the average cost per semester of tuition, housing, meals, and fees in the U.S. from the College Board 2024 report.
CIEE Discounts
When planning your College First Year Abroad budget, keep CIEE’s discounts in mind:
- Refer-a-Friend Benefit: Do you know anyone at your school who participated in a CIEE program? Our alumni can share a $200 discount with their friends. Once you complete your application, you too will be able to refer your friends and earn a $200 cash reward when they go abroad with us!.
- Alumni Rewards: If you’ve studied abroad with CIEE before, you’ll receive a discount off your next CIEE program.
- Academic Year Discount: Receive $1,500 off your second semester when you study for a full year abroad. (This discount is automatically reflected in program pricing and your application. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator for details. Visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your program.)
Applying 529 or State-Sponsored Tuition Funds to Your College First Year Abroad
Generally speaking, these types of college tuition savings plans are only allowed to distribute funds for eligible tuition costs billed by institutions with a US Department of Education (DOE) school code. Since CIEE is not eligible to apply for a DOE school code, if you are being billed directly by CIEE for your program fees, it is entirely possible that you will not be able to use your tuition savings plan funds to pay your program fees.
However, the rules for each fund do vary from one sponsoring state/agency to another. We encourage you to talk to the savings fund agency to determine whether they will release the funds directly to you to pay your fees to CIEE.
Some of the different processes for college tuition savings plans could be:
- Some agencies who will allow the funds to be applied toward your program fees may expect you to pay your fees to CIEE up front, then once your grades have transferred back to your school, they'll reimburse you per the terms of your plan.
- If, however, the agency requires that the funds be disbursed directly to the eligible institution, or that a copy of the bill from the eligible institution is forwarded to them, you will need to verify that they will work with CIEE, since you are billed for all program fees by CIEE not the overseas institution.
Please note CIEE cannot make these determinations for you, nor advise on that matter or coordinate with your financial advisor. We also cannot customize billing statements to show itemized program costs.
Fundraising: The Proven Way to Pay for Your Adventure Abroad
Looking for creative ways to fund your College First Year Abroad? Download our Student Fundraising Toolkit for alumni-tested tips and strategies.
Bonus: Watch the video below to see how one student raised more than $5,000 for their CIEE program in just six weeks!
College First Year Abroad
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about College First Year Abroad. The CIEE team will answer your questions and help you get started on the next steps towards making your study abroad dreams a reality.
College First Year Abroad Blogs
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